Posted on Jun 12, 2019
I am being told to go to PT by the command on only 4-5 hours of sleep. As a junior enlisted, how do I solve this problem?
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We have a new 1SG and new commander. The 1SG noticed one day that only 5 people in the whole company showed up to PT. Now he put out to all the platoon Sergeants that everyone must show up to PT at either the 0530 formation or the 1600 formation.
However, my section is the only one in the hospital that has a 1600-0000 shift. I am being told by my first line that the 1SG says that I have to be at the morning formation, no exceptions.
I don’t want to sound like I’m whining but at the same time it’s unfortunate that I have to explain to myself as to why this isn’t right.
As a junior enlisted I do feel stuck.
How do I bring this issue up and solve this effectively and professionally?
Also: Do you know of any Army Regulations that can support anything?
However, my section is the only one in the hospital that has a 1600-0000 shift. I am being told by my first line that the 1SG says that I have to be at the morning formation, no exceptions.
I don’t want to sound like I’m whining but at the same time it’s unfortunate that I have to explain to myself as to why this isn’t right.
As a junior enlisted I do feel stuck.
How do I bring this issue up and solve this effectively and professionally?
Also: Do you know of any Army Regulations that can support anything?
Company Commander
Physical Training
Army Regulations
Policy
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 1688
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Dear Ashley, I'm just seeing this and I hope you got the help you needed. You're working in a hospital, not undergoing Seal Training. I understand why you felt stuck. Would you have a progress update?
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Don't go to war. You will find that 4 or 5 hours of sleep is a "boatload." Of course I'm speaking of 11Bravo MOS - Vietnam 67-68 Central Highland Jungles. Never to happen again, so chalk it up as a history lesson. The modern warrior needs 8 straight to function properly.
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You're a soldier you do what you are ordered to do. Have you never read about what American Soldiers have done throughout history and especially during WWI & WWII? The enemy will not wait until you are well rested, or well fed. You must train your mind and body to be a razor. Your rifle isn't your weapon! It's your determination, and willingness to do what must be done. That's your weapon.
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I've spent nights as a junior enlisted artilleryman without ANY sleep after a long night of hanging out at the GI bars during foreign assignments (thank goodness THOSE days are over) and never once did I consider the notion of missing out on PT. No one ever questioned it. I knew when I signed up that I would have to do whatever I was told to do by senior enlisted or officers. What "isn't right" as you put it, is going against orders (unless they defy the Geneva Convention".
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I'm sorry cupcake! Damn that's some tough shit for you to handle. PT on just 4 hours sleep. Man I'd sue. That is a violation of your cupcake rights!
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Safety is always first-period! Speaking from a Safety Manager's perspective, now, from a DI point of view, no one cared that I was tired as an E5 Drill Sgt. At Ft. Sill, do you think it mattered that I was exhausted from training/running with the males? No, I had to do my job, and it was a beast to keep up with them. My "battles" (fellow DIs) had my back, especially from a safety perspective; however, I had to maintain Army standards, prioritize and readjust with time management skills which are doable. After becoming a Senior NCO, Time Management skills were imperative and remained a crucial skill to maintain.
Best wishes.
Best wishes.
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I remember dry scraping a razor across my face on the way to formation. I also remember being awake for 5 days in the field. You can’t even remember your name after that. The bottom line is you signed up now you do what you are told. Quit whining about it. In 25 years in the Army, I’ve been thru lots worse.
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Suck it up! You are in the armed forces. If you can't do what needs to be done to be combat ready 100%. Find a new career.
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Get over yourself. Too many times I was in that situation and I survived. Get over yourself, you are not and will not ever be the only one with that amt of sleep. Wait until you get your 4th point of contact kicked for letting your fello soldier do your part and he or she kicks your ass.
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Quit whining and go to PT. You are a soldier. Being a soldier can be rough, and tough, so be that way.
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Suck it up and do your job. You don't need more than 4 hours a day and they do not have to come all at once. Try doing PT at 0530 then working 0700 - 1800-2100 every night for 3-4 weeks at a time and often working Saturdays during services. 2-3 week deployments every other month, 1-2 month deployments every quarter, tell us how you have it so hard.
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Unlike requiring a profiled pregnant soldier to be in CLASS As, Dress Greens, to receive mailed payroll checks, which Col. Kohler of the European RPAC did, thus interfering with the USPS (not held accountable) in 1978, there's little to do.
Wanna try Guard Duty? Four off, Two on, aka less than four hours sleep?
Wanna try Guard Duty? Four off, Two on, aka less than four hours sleep?
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Suck it up and do what you're told. What kind of cheese do you want with that whine?
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It's the military doesn't matter what you do every day. You are a soldier! Manage your time and get there. Your also in the medical field that in itself says your gonna be needed for extra hours. There is nothing wrong with what your ssg is asking get up go to pt go back and catch a nap
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4 hours of sleep in the Army is acceptable, as crazy as that sounds. Can't say for sure but it also sounds like 1SG is trying to solve a discipline issue too.
Here is your answer: Welcome to the Army, now do PT as ordered, and discuss with your team leader.
Here is your answer: Welcome to the Army, now do PT as ordered, and discuss with your team leader.
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Shift work should be separated by scheduling, including blocking off time for training, but that's just me. If you are asking the Army to make sense though, perhaps its not the job for you; it led me to leave too.
Take solace in the fact that nearly every other army in the world is worse.
Take solace in the fact that nearly every other army in the world is worse.
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SGT Thomas Price
Your best bet is to come up with a solution and submit via suggestion, but it appears that your command is trying to make a point. I would start off by investigating why only five people showed for PT and go from there. Be tactful and logical.
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As a soldier physical training is a part of your duty, since when do Junior enlisted get to decide if they want to do the training or not. The reg is your enlistment contract.
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You sound like one of those whiney kids looking for a loophole to get out of what is required. I was a firefighter my whole career working 24 hour shifts and many times I've had to get off work and go to PT. Many times I've had to finish my shift then go to a military deployment exercise that lasted most of the night then get back to work for my next shift. You're in the military. It's like having two jobs with one paycheck. Your job you were trained to do and your military job where you continue to train to be ready for war. Suck it up buttercup. Don't reenlist when your tour is up. You're not cut out for it. You coworkers need you at 100 %
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You raised your hand to defend the USA. Your expected to do your duty irregardless of the time required. PT only gets harder to pass as you get older. Or the other choice is to be discharged. Quit winning and get on it!
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Man, there really is a new generation out there full of pansy's and baby's ....Take your PT and you are whiny you little baby!!!! You are in the Military ----it is right----C'mon dude wake up !!!
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WOW, really??? If TOP has a "desire" for everyone show up for PT, it would behoove you to be there, PERIOD. You get off work at 0000, you can hit the sack and have plenty of rest to attend, no excuse. If you CHOOSE to go out drinking after work, and you only get 3 or 4 hours sleep, that's on you. You're in the Army and there are things that are expected of you, suck it up, go to PT, and if it's too much for you, ETS will come soon enough.
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Take your pick and attend one or the other you volunteered to be a soldier doing PT is part of being a soldier get off your lazy butt and go to PT formation it is a requirement not a request. Comply or get out of military!!!
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Talk to the NCOIC of your shift to set up PT from 1400 to 1500.. if your suggestions fall on deaf ears, remember this experience when you become a NCO.
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